'53 Capri "Panamericana" Brakes

[UK.Alex]

Does anyone have any information on What front brakes were used in the Panamericana in period?
i understand that it was 12" drums from a truck, anybody know exactly what truck?

Thanks in Advance

[frasern]

An interesting question, I have nothing concrete, but would assume '53 F250, as the half ton used 11 inch brakes. They could even have used unfinished castings, and drilled them for the Lincoln hubs, as finished drums would be drilled for 8 studs. Do you have an old one, or trying to convert?

[Lee]

I'm going by memory, but I recall they had to run the stock 11" drums (to qualify for their stock car class) up until 1954. But in 1954, Lincoln went to standard 12" drums, and that's what they ran in that last year. Somewhere I have an article that mentions this. Somewhere...

[UK.Alex]

An interesting question, I have nothing concrete, but would assume '53 F250, as the half ton used 11 inch brakes. They could even have used unfinished castings, and drilled them for the Lincoln hubs, as finished drums would be drilled for 8 studs. Do you have an old one, or trying to convert?

The event we plan on running requires the car have drum brakes as discs weren’t an option in ‘53.
We would like to upgrade the brakes as much as possible, but keeping the drums.
I was hoping to find a bolt-on 12” upgrade.

[Lee]

I guess I'd see if the 12" backing plates from '54 will bolt up. That sounds like a good starting point, anyway. Upgrade kits for drums are rare (unless you have a Model A, and upgrading to juice Lincoln brakes).

[UK.Alex]

I guess I'd see if the 12" backing plates from '54 will bolt up. That sounds like a good starting point, anyway. Upgrade kits for drums are rare (unless you have a Model A, and upgrading to juice Lincoln brakes).

Yes, I wasn’t aware ‘54 were 12” so that is definitely a starting point. Thank you!
Now to try and find ‘54 brakes….

[Lee]

It’s only about a 10% increase over ‘53 (202 vs. 220 sq. ins.), but that gave Lincoln more braking area than any other manufacturer in ‘54.

[1Bad55Chevy]

An interesting question, I have nothing concrete, but would assume '53 F250, as the half ton used 11 inch brakes. They could even have used unfinished castings, and drilled them for the Lincoln hubs, as finished drums would be drilled for 8 studs. Do you have an old one, or trying to convert?

The event we plan on running requires the car have drum brakes as discs weren’t an option in ‘53.
We would like to upgrade the brakes as much as possible, but keeping the drums.
I was hoping to find a bolt-on 12” upgrade.

What type of event?

[TonyC]

Yes, I'm pretty sure they had to remain stock; any non-stock mods to the drivetrains would have disqualified them. In fact, in an article published in '53 after that year's race, the judges insisted on tearing down the winner cars because they thought it too coincidental that the four entries took the top-four wins. They found nothing, so the winners were certified.

---Tony

[frasern]

So, you're building a vintage racecar, sounds like a cool project. I have read where the presidential limos used truck brakes, so I guess it's doable, but Lees option should be easier.
When Ford was doing it, back in the day, they had access to unfinished parts, like spindles, which could be machined to accept truck hubs, something which would be hard to match today.
I hope you're going to post some pictures of the finished racer.

(spelling error corrected, 11/30 )

[UK.Alex]

That’s all great information guys,thank you!
With the owners permission I will start a build thread shortly